Operation Ogunquit reaches out a hand to Sandy victims

OGUNQUIT — Days after Hurricane Sandy, business owners and residents in Ogunquit were eager to help in any way they could.

Samantha Stephens

OGUNQUIT — Days after Hurricane Sandy, business owners and residents in Ogunquit were eager to help in any way they could.

Operation Ogunquit, an idea started by Sarah Diment of the Beachmere Inn and championed by the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, hopes to bring families affected by Hurricane Sandy to Ogunquit for a five-day respite, complete with accommodations, meals, entertainment and "goody bags" to return home with.

"It occurred to me that we have all of these rooms in Ogunquit, we should try to do something," Diment said.

Diment said she hopes Operation Ogunquit will provide "respite from the drama going on in their lives" and offer the families an opportunity to relax and find peace.

"There are families who have lost so much, we want to give them a chance to get their minds off of it for a little while," Diment said.

Charlie Pico is the owner of Bourne Bed and Breakfast with his partner, Ross Kilsart, and spent hours on the phone communicating with family members who live in New Jersey in the wake of the storm. At one point, Pico said he thought about making the journey into the area to make sure his loved ones were okay but was cautioned against it by his family.

"If I didn't know my mom was okay, there was no way I wouldn't have gone," Pico said.

Pico was his family's "out-of-state contact" who was relaying messages between his mother, brothers and aunt while they could not reach each other that everyone was doing well and was safe.

"I grew up going to the New Jersey shore. Places I went to just aren't there anymore. It's very emotional to see that. Watching the news, seeing the pictures, I had tears rolling down my face," Pico said.

Pico said the lesson learned in the aftermath of the storm is "we all should be kinder to each other. Reach out when we need to reach out."

The message of universal kindness has certainly resonated within Ogunquit, where over 25 businesses continue to step up and offer support.

Even individuals are hearing the call and are organizing clothing drives and offering themselves to help out with the Chamber of Commerce's initiative.

John Jenkins, a longtime politician in Maine who served as mayor of Auburn, Lewiston and as a Maine State Senate member and now works as a motivational speaker, grew up in New York and New Jersey.

Jenkins said he was devastated to learn about the destruction to familiar places from his childhood and said he "enthusiastically answered the call" to volunteer his time and effort with Operation Ogunquit.

"I can honestly say that my prayers were answered through this privilege to help our brothers and sisters in need. Service is my passion and calling," Jenkins said.

Karen Arel, president of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, said she has been hard at work to turn Diment's idea into a reality. Although the chamber originally wanted to work with an American Red Cross shelter, it was told the Red Cross doesn't participate with such initiatives.

Arel said although the original plan was to offer Operation Ogunquit's services to those in Staten Island, after the Red Cross declined to work with the town the scope has been broadened to include other New York City areas and towns within New Jersey.

"There are little idiosyncrasies that are not finalized but we have people on the ground trying to put it all together," Arel said. "It's like a puzzle."

However, that hasn't slowed Arel's efforts to set up Ogunquit for the people they hope will arrive on Monday, Nov. 12, and leave on Friday, Nov. 16.

"I can't even describe how incredible it is to lead an organization like this. To pick up the phone and hear people say 'yes, we'll help' over and over and over is just incredible," Arel said.

Arel said Ogunquit has "mobilized" and places that are closed for the season are willing to open their doors and help in whatever way they can.

"Someone volunteered to feed 150 people. We're so lucky. I can't wait to bring these people here," Arel said. "The outpouring of help has been unbelievable. We're more focused than ever on getting them here."

As a welcoming gesture, students at Berwick Academy have been making cards for children who will visit the local area and the Dunaway Center has been donated as a place for communal events which Arel said she hopes will encourage networking and new friendships so the families can help each other when they return back to the city.

Gary Latulippe, chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, visited Manhattan just days before the storm with his wife, Erin, chairwoman for the Parks and Recreation Committee, and although he said there was some buzz about the storm, no one ever expected it to be so devastating.

"We have the capacity and resources to help them. It's the right thing to do," Latulippe said.

In addition to lending his services with the chamber, Latulippe is opening his businesses, Sea Chambers Motel and Studio East Motel, to families. The Parks and Recreation Committee will also be involved with organizing events and assisting in various ways while the families visit.

"I'm looking forward to meeting these people, hearing their stories and getting the chance to say there are people who are here who are willing to lend a helping hand," Latulippe said.

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